TIPS ON RESCUING WET LEATHER FURNITURE Leather furniture can survive water stains if one duly gives it attention and rescue it through proper methods. Therefore, a water spill on your leather couch is not a reason to panic and totally chuck the furniture away. Authentic leather is designed to sustain water spills once. If it goes beyond that, then your leather furniture is crossing the red alert area.
What happens when leather gets wet? Leather consists of a tangle of several microscopic
fibers
which
are
held
together by protein bonds. These protein bonds get washed off when water invades the porous leather material. When water evaporates, it takes off the essential oils in the leather furniture, rendering the material dry and stiff. Leather without its essential oils is like a parched desert without water. Hence it is essential to replace these lost proteins in order to revitalize your leather furniture.
Tips for restoring wet leather furniture
Do not soak leather into other oils, considering that this will prevent it from going dry. It might make the leather temporarily supple but it won’t restore its strength.
Take action before the wet leather completely dries out. Do not hasten to dry the leather with an artificial source of heat. If you think that drying wet leather is the plan of action, you are only hastening its deterioration.
Apply a coat of pH-balanced leather conditioner to the damp leather. This will act as a replacement for the lost oils. The reason leather should be damp while doing this is that the capillary action will pull the conditioner down while the water evaporates.
Always spot test whether the conditioner works for your leather.
Use conditioners with a neutral pH level and avoid harsh alkaline pH. Non pH balanced conditioners are a total no-no for your leather.
Avoid using wet leather furniture as it is prone to stretch permanently.
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Preventing leather from drying doesn’t mean inhibiting its drying process. This might increase its risk to mould or musty smell. Keep the area ventilated and allow the leather to dry naturally.
- Sydney Leather Cleaners